River's Way

06/08/2026

Special event to honor S H A M A S.
PLEASE SHARE..he’s excited!!
I’ve gotten some messages asking if I know how Shamas Dougherty is doing since he’s not been out and about recently.

So, I reached out to his sister to find out!

“How special to know that people do miss seeing him around town,” Ronan King told me.
“Shamas has had to retire from the YMCA after 60 years of service, so he is here at home and is very happy and doing well. He has developed a balance issue. He can walk well, but needs someone beside him so he doesn’t get off-balance and fall.”

Ronan also shared with me that there’s going to be a special salute to him!!
👇👇👇

It is official! You can say hi to Shamas during the Tennessee High and Virginia High tire flip next Friday, June 12.

They will flip the tire down State Street and end right there at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and State Street.

They stop at the light before you get to the train station or the Bristol sign.

Shamas will be right there on State Street at the end of the Tri Star Spine and Sports chiropractic parking lot at 126 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The actual tire flip starts at 6 PM, but Shamas will be there early and is hoping people will stop by to see him!! He’s so excited! PLEASE SHARE!

06/07/2026

Summer programs have started STRONG 🌞😎💥

The first week of summer at River's Way was packed full of gardening, walking programs with local youth groups, goal setting, and exercise at the YMCA of Bristol.

We wrapped it up by spending Friday at Camp Friendship with a boat ride and walking with the campers!

We have officially kicked off our Summer Giving Campaign that lasts the month of June. If you like what you see, consider a gift to River's Way that allows us to provide these opportunities at no cost (FREE) to young adults with differing abilities and their families.

It's donors and supporters like YOU that allow us to continue our work with these amazing individuals.

Visit the www.tinyurl.com/GIVE2RW to GIVE TODAY🙏🏻

06/04/2026

River’s Way is hiring!

We are looking for a warm, dependable, energetic Program Coordinator to help lead programs for youth and young adults with differing abilities.

This is a full-time hourly position supporting River’s Way programs across the Bristol community, including school walking programs, YMCA fitness, gardening, summer programs, community events, respite weekends, and other meaningful activities.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with individuals with disabilities or differing abilities, enjoy leading active programs, communicate well, and have a heart for helping others grow.

Pay: $17–$20/hour, depending on experience
Hours: Approximately 30–40 hours/week
Requirements: Experience working with individuals with differing abilities, valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to pass a background check

Full Job description: https://tinyurl.com/RWjob2026

To apply, send a resume to [email protected].

Help us create meaningful opportunities for youth and young adults with differing abilities to grow, contribute, and belong.

04/23/2026

Thank you so much Alpha Metallurgical Resources employees!

At the end of March, several members of our Bristol team spent a day volunteering with the River's Way organization. Together, we built and installed flower beds at the Viking Garden, cleared rocks and weeds, and prepared the soil for planting.

It was a rewarding day full of hard work and fun. Thank you to River’s Way for being such wonderful hosts and making the day so enjoyable! We’re grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact!